When In Oriental Mindoro

Thinking Global

This year, the students of the Master in National Security Administration visited the MIMAROPA Region as part of their curriculum. MIMAROPA stands for Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblom and Palawan. I had the privilege of joining the 13 senior executives both from the private and public sector to conduct the Sub-National Security and Development Studies (SSDS)  in Mindoro. I was only able to join the visit to Oriental Mindoro for 3 days.

I was particularly tapped to be consulted for Oriental Mindoro because it is my home province. However, the several weeks before the SSDS proved to be frustrating on my part when the coordinators would ask me for places to go and see in the province. I can only answer, Puerto Galera, Mangyan community, Tamaraw and vast, very vast green rice fields. Where in particular? Are they worth the travel? Of course, being my home it is always worth the travel for me.

Then, I realized that our province have not really cultivated and invested on these natural resources and on the people.

We have tagged ourselves as the Rice Granary of the Philippines. But have we institutionalize the science of planting rice? Is there a site we can visit to see how technology is being explored to enhance and improve the produce of the province?

We boast of our indigenous brothers, but is their a world class Mangyan Museum anywhere in the province to showcase the rich culture of the different tribes? Have we extensively documented their culture? Have we gone beyond seeing them as mere beneficiaries of relief goods?

Tamaraw, Crocodylus Mindorensis. These are animals endemic to the province. But is there a protected area which shelters these animals? Maybe, there is one. But are the standards globally competitive?

We boast of Puerto Galera but are the laws properly implemented to protect the shorelines? Are the LGUs responsible enough to use the revenue from tourism to ignite true development in the municipality?

Some of the answers to my questions are in the affirmative. But whether the standards are high consist of another set of questions.

Set aside these questions and allow me take you to a trip to my home province. Tara!

Going There

The 4-hour trip consists of a one and a half to two hour bus ride from Manila and a one hour fast craft ride or sail (?) from Batangas. If you are not in a hurry, you might want to take a two hour roro (short for roll-on, roll-off)  ride for some sight seeing (dolphins are oftentimes sighted). I had to finish my exams before I could join the students and I had to take to roro. I left Manila at 8pm and arrived at the port at around 12 (ish) in the morning.

Calapan Port (at 12ish in the morning)

Itinerary


I was not used to waking up very early in the morning but I had to the following day to plant mangroves. It was funny because my brother was also the president of the organization of mountaineers in Oriental Mindoro which initiated the project and won the UN grant and I had to wake him up.

After planting some mangroves and hearing the briefing of provincial foresters. We headed for Puerto Galera. When asked whether the Tamaraw Falls lookout was beautiful, I only said, "Ahmmm, not much, just water falling from a high mountain." But when I saw it again, I felt like seeing the falls for the first time and falling in love with it all over again.

Tamaraw Falls

The trip to Puerto Galera is a one and a half land travel passing by greeneries, carabaos, rivers, and mountains.

Then we went for a boat ride in one of the most beautiful bays of the world, the Muelle Bay also in Puerto Galera.

Muelle Bay

We also visited a Mangyan community in Talipanan also in Puerto Galera. The Mangyans have built sturdy bridges and houses.

Then we had a quick lunch at the White Beach. The scorching heat completed our seafood lunch!

We headed back to La Filipiniana Hotel to change clothes before heading to the 203rd Infantry Brigade in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro for a briefing on internal security. The camp was so simple and honestly in ruins. Nonetheless, we were received by professional soldiers. The Commander, who attended one of our short courses in the College (which is the Executive Course on National Security) was a graduate of Harvard. Before we left, he asked us to help the AFP recover from being labeled as the most corrupt agency of the government.  He emphasized that a few rotten tomatoes have caused the deterioration of AFP's reputation. Based from our trip, the AFP and the PNP are two most well coordinated and professional organizations at least in the province of Oriental Mindoro.

Then we called it a day!

The next day we went to the provincial and regional offices for lots and lots of briefings. :)

The trip to Occidental Mindoro was a 7-hour land land travel. Period. :D Hi Occi friends!

Security Photo Essay

I was particularly pleased at how organized and coordinated the PNP and the AFP in the province were. We were escorted all through out our trip. As we enter a municipality, there was also turn over of escorts. I took these photos (including the previous ones) using my cellphone.

Calapan City

Municipality of Baco

Municipality of San Teodoro

Municipality of Puerto Galera

Municipality of Naujan

 The province of Oriental Mindoro is rich in terms of natural resources and people but these resources must be properly harnessed and at the same time preserved so that the province will continue developing.

One thing is certain, a visit to Oriental Mindoro is worth the time and effort. :)